(christiansunite.com) - Mohammed Ahmed Ali, a 41-year-old underground church leader, was shot and killed on January 1 on the outskirts of Mogadishu by members of the militant group al-Shabaab.

Mohammed and his wife, Amina Ibrahim Hassan, were reportedly being monitored by the militants for signs that they had left Islam. The militants killed Mohammed, who became a Christian in 2000, after learning that he had organized New Year's Day festivities for Christians.

On January 3, Amina received threatening phone calls from the militants who stated, "We also know your home and that you are a follower of the Christians, and we are going to kill you the way we killed your husband." The next day, Amina set out for Kenya on a bus with her two-year-old son, Abdi Asis Mohammed Ahmed. They safely arrived in Nairobi on January 20. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for peace that surpasses understanding for Amina and Abdi as they mourn the loss of their husband and father. Ask God to provide for and protect this family. Pray that they will continue to grow in their faith in Christ. You can stand in solidarity with Amina and Abdi by posting a prayer on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall at www.persecution.net/prayerwall.

Learn more about the plight of Somali Christians at www.persecution.net/somalia.htm.